The Latest: Red Cross: Migrant policy mustn't add suffering

A top humanitarian leader admits governments have a right to set migration policy, but insist they shouldn't increase suffering or play into a recent trend toward the "criminalization of compassion."

Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said a U.N. migration pact agreed by 164 countries in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday was about "dignity" of people who face human traffickers, sexual exploitation and other abuse while on the move.

Rocca said the Global Compact on Migration will try to fix "a global approach to migration that is broken."

He told The Associated Press that "we don't want to interfere in domestic policies, honestly we don't care. We only care about the dignity for these human beings."

"Too many people are dying. Too many are suffering."

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7:25 p.m.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI says "repressive" migration policies only serve to slow the movement of people - not stop it - and insists no country can go it alone in dealing with waves of migration.

The north African monarch, playing host to a key U.N. conference on migration in Marrakech, didn't attend but sent word Monday through his prime minister that "no single country can, on its own, face up to such a challenge."

At least nine countries, including the United States, pulled out of the accord - many citing a possible threat to national sovereignty.

The king defended the rights of migrants to access basic services in countries of transit and destination.

Morocco is a major hub for migrants who try to flee poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and reach Europe.

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1:15 p.m.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says a U.N. accord on migration is "about nothing less than the foundation of our international cooperation."

Merkel, who welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees from places like Syria and Afghanistan to her country, hailed an "important day" after more than 160 countries approved the first Global Compact for Migration at a United Nations conference in Marrakech.

She pointed to the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights being celebrated also Monday, saying human rights apply "to every person on our planet."

Merkel also inveighed against dangers posed by people smugglers, saying they could not be allowed to control borders.

She received a standing ovation after ending her speech by saying the United Nations was founded on the embers of World War II, and alluded to the "incredible suffering on humankind" wrought by the Nazi regime.

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12:40 p.m.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel says the U.N.-backed Global Compact on migration is being misused by some political parties to spread disinformation.

Michel, whose coalition government split over his support for the pact, said in Marrakech Monday that the text has sparked "lively debate" in Europe.

But he says it is being exploited by political parties "to spread lies and mistruth."

Austria, which holds the European Union's presidency, is refusing to sign the document, as are Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, whose foreign minister threatened to resign over his country's stance.

The pact has become a hot topic and stands as an easy target for populists ahead of the EU elections in May.

Michel said that in signing the compact, "my country will be on the right side of history."

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10:55 a.m.

The Norwegian Refugee Council says a nonbinding international deal on migration "recognizes the rising threats of disaster displacement and impacts of climate change and brings hope for the people affected."

Nina Birkeland, a spokeswoman for the group, says the text "is the first comprehensive U.N. document where the international community makes specific commitments to address natural hazards and climate change as drivers of cross-border displacement."

The accord was agreed by more than 160 countries Monday, but is rejected by the United States and some other Western nations.

Birkeland said Monday that when people cross borders, international cooperation "is not only wanted but required."

The Norwegian humanitarian organization that works in more than 30 countries added: "We regret that the formal review will only take place every four years, which we fear will not be sufficient to ensure necessary action."

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10:35 a.m.

More than 160 countries have agreed on a nonbinding U.N. migration accord that seeks to ensure the safe, orderly and humane movement of people around the world, over the outspoken disapproval of the United States and several other countries.

High-level government delegates including German Chancellor Angela Merkel have given their backing to the U.N.'s Global Compact for Migration approved by acclamation by 164 countries Monday, culminating years of efforts supported by U.S. President Barack Obama but rejected by the Trump administration.

Defenders say migration can help national economies by rejuvenating the workforce in aging rich countries and by providing a needed source of cash to poorer countries through remittances. They say orderly migration will save lives.

Opponents say the pact could challenge national sovereignty and they fear an influx of migrants.

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9:50 a.m.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sought to dispel "falsehoods" and "myths" over an international agreement on safe, humane and orderly migration.

The U.N. chief spoke at the start of a two-day international conference about the "Global Compact on Migration," moments before about 150 countries were set to agree to it by acclamation. The United States and at least seven other countries have pulled out amid concerns about migrant flows and national sovereignty.

Guterres called the compact a "road map to prevent suffering and chaos" aimed to benefit everyone. He said over 60,000 migrants have died on the move since 2000, calling that "a source of collective shame."

He said the pact won't allow the U.N. to impose migration policies on member states and is not a legally-binding treaty. He said most migration is not from the South to the "global North," but among states in the south, and added that it was not true that developed countries don't need migration.

Guterres said he hoped that countries not present would join one day.

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8:25 a.m.

Top U.N. officials and government leaders from about 150 countries are uniting around an agreement on migration, while finding themselves on the defensive about the non-binding deal amid criticism and a walkout from the United States and some other countries.

The Global Compact for Migration has proven a test for globally minded policymakers who want to ensure safe and orderly migration of people displaced by issues like war, economic necessity and climate change.

They have run into stiff political headwinds, mostly in parts of the West that want national borders to remain sacrosanct.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel joins U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres among the biggest names in Marrakech for the two-day conference that is set to agree, but not sign, the compact by acclamation shortly after the opening Monday.

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